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NBA: Magic stun Celtics, Pacers stop Spurs
WASHINGTON, Jan 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Orlando Magic parlayed a big third
quarter into a 103-95 upset of the Boston Celtics on Sunday, their third win
in 20 games coming against the NBA’s Eastern Conference leaders.
Elfrid Payton scored 22 points for the Magic, who had lost their last 14
games in Boston in a skid stretching back to February 2010.
“It feels good to get a win, especially after playing well,” Payton said.
“We felt we played well against the Cavaliers and didn’t come out with the
victory. So to get the win today feels good.”
Orlando spoiled the return from injury of Boston point guard Kyrie Irving,
whose 40 points couldn’t prevent the Celtics from dropping a third straight
game for the first time this season.
Irving had missed Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with a nagging
shoulder injury.
Jaylen Brown scored 17 points and Marcus Morris finished with 12 to score
in double figures for the fourth consecutive game for the Celtics.
“We haven’t played consistently on both ends for a while now,” Celtics
coach Brad Stevens said. “I felt like they were shooting layups for the most
part tonight.”
Evan Fournier scored 19 points and Aaron Gordon produced a double-double of
11 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who started the day in a three-way
tie for the worst record in the league.
Orlando trailed 59-58 at halftime, but out-scored the Celtics 32-12 in the
third quarter to take a 90-71 lead into the final frame.
The Magic’s upset bid appeared to be coming unstuck as they made just one
of their first 16 shot attempts of the fourth quarter.
The Celtics trimmed the deficit to seven points on Al Horford’s hook shot
with 1:13 remaining.
A free-throw from Payton and Fournier’s floater in the final minute
stretched Orlando’s lead back to 10.
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Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo delivered 19 points as the Indiana Pacers ended
the San Antonio Spurs 14-game winning streak at home with a 94-86 victory.
Darren Collison tallied 15 points for the Pacers, who halted a three-game
losing streak in San Antonio.
The Spurs lost at home for the third time this season and the first since
November 10 against Milwaukee.
Pau Gasol had 14 points to lead the Spurs who were minus Manu Ginobili,
Rudy Gay and Kawhi Leonard because of injuries.
Tony Parker came off the bench to record 12 points and five assists. It
marked just the 14th time in 1,165 games that Parker has come into the game
off the bench.
In Los Angeles, Jordan Clarkson had 29 points and 10 assists, Julius Randle
added 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York
Knicks 127-107.
Kyle Kuzma added 15 points for the Lakers, who have won their six of their
last eight games and the last two without injured rookie Lonzo Ball.
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